Description
These Beef and Bean Taco Bites are a flavorful and fun appetizer featuring seasoned ground beef, refried beans, and melted cheddar cheese on crispy tortilla chips. Perfect for parties or game day snacks, they deliver classic taco flavors in a convenient bite-sized form that’s sure to please any crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 40 round tortilla chips
Beef Mixture
- ½ lb lean ground beef
- 2 Tbsp taco seasoning
- â…“ cup salsa
- 1 (15-oz) can refried beans
Cheese
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Garnish
- Green onions, chopped (optional)
- Cilantro, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF to ensure it’s ready to melt the cheese and warm the taco bites evenly.
- Cook Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the lean ground beef until it is no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess grease to keep the bites from becoming greasy.
- Season Beef: Add the taco seasoning and salsa to the skillet with the cooked beef. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is mostly absorbed, creating a flavorful taco meat mixture.
- Mix Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the taco meat, refried beans, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Stir thoroughly to blend all ingredients evenly.
- Assemble Taco Bites: Arrange the tortilla chips in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spoon a generous amount of the beef and bean mixture onto each chip, then top with the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 7 to 9 minutes until the cheese has melted and the filling is hot and bubbly.
- Shape and Garnish: Remove the pan from the oven carefully. While the bites are still warm, gently fold each chip into a taco shape. Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with chopped green onions and cilantro if desired.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce grease and keep bites from becoming too oily.
- Refried beans add creamy texture and help bind the filling together.
- For extra flavor, try adding a sprinkle of chopped jalapeños or a dollop of sour cream when serving.
- These bites can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving for convenience.
- Adjust the amount of taco seasoning based on your preferred spice level.
